“Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain |
MSCH – San Diego residents set sail on new adventures at Camp Able on Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado. |
by Sheryl Wilde
Thanks to YOU and your generous donations to the Mountain Shadows Foundation CARE program, fifty-two MSCH – San Diego residents made a big SPLASH at Camp Able this year.
Residents swam, sailed, canoed, floated, biked, sang around the campfire, and soaked up the sunshine on Coronado’s Silver Strand State Beach. |
MSCH – San Diego resident, Katie, enjoys a float in the water chair. |
While many of us take a walk on the beach for granted, getting to the water’s edge can be challenging for the disabled. But, thanks to Camp Able, an aquatic summer day camp for the disabled, our residents are able to experience magical, sun-drenched days on the beach every year. |
MSCH-San Deigo residents, Kristen (left), and Lupita (right), ready to set sail into FUN! |
“The residents really enjoyed themselves,” says Gloria Mederos, MSCH-San Diego. “There were a LOT of SMILES!
“Just the fresh air and sunshine – getting the residents outdoors. It’s a really nice experience for them.” |
Resident Katie jammin’ on the ukulele. |
Continues Gloria, “They have music time right after lunch. The Camp Able staff bring out lots of instruments – ukuleles, maracas, all kinds of different instruments.
“Tracy was really getting into the ukulele (photo above). She was so intent, leaning over, trying to play it.
“Many of the residents enjoy playing the instruments. And everyone got to sing songs together. Brian, especially, just loves to sing!” |
Brian, MSCH – San Diego resident, celebrates his birthday with friends at the beach. |
“Brian was smiling ear-to-ear!” says Gloria. “Camp Able is really his thing. He loves going each year. It’s right around his birthday, so he gets to celebrate at the beach with all his friends. “Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. It was really great.” |
MSCH – San Diego resident, Christopher, rides on an adaptive bike near the beach. |
“There was so much for the residents to do!” adds Gloria. “Some of the residents went on bike rides and nature walks. Just being able to walk or ride by the beach, the water, it’s such fun for them.
“Even just going over the Coronado Bridge to get to the beach – it’s such a sight to see! And the residents, they like to watch out the windows of the buses, and they see the water, and all the boats. It’s very exciting for them.” |
Resident, James, keeps the beat on a tambourine.
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Adds Jenelle Nettles, Camp Able Director, “Mountain Shadows has been bringing campers to Camp Able for more than 25 years.
“I just love watching the Mountain Shadows buses pull up to Camp. As they start unloading off the bus, the residents are at the top of the lift, and I can see their faces light up. As they come down on the lift, they are just so excited! Just so excited to be there!” |
Resident, Gary, chillin’ out on the Camp Able Aqua Lily Pad. |
“Gary from Birch house just loved the Lily Pad,” says Gloria. “They rolled this bright yellow Lily Pad out on the water, and they laid Gary on it. He was loving it! He was just laying on his back, chilling, taking in all the sunlight. He was smiling the whole time.” |
Resident, Laura, enjoys a canoe ride. |
Adds Gloria, “The Camp Able counselors are really great. They’re extremely helpful. They love the residents and try to get to know each one.” “Watching the residents get in the water, seeing them out of their wheelchairs and watching them get in a sailboat and sail!” says Jenelle. “That’s huge. It’s very rewarding because it’s not something they do all the time. Some of them have never been to a beach before.” |
Ahhhhhh … Life on the beach! Residents (left to right), Walter, Chris, Steve, James, Evelyn, and Keenan. |
“It’s so important for the residents to be able to just get out and enjoy themselves, especially with their group of friends,” says Gloria. “They get to participate in activities together, and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. They get to interact with each other in a different setting.” |
Resident, James, soaking up some sun in this float chair. |
Resident, Karen, with Camp Able friends. |
The adventures at Camp Able are “a special, special thing,” says Jenelle. “They are doing something that many of us take for granted, but for them, it’s something maybe they didn’t think they would ever be able to do.”
Our thanks to you, our Mountain Shadows Family, and to Camp Able, for helping to fill our residents lives with sunshine and ocean breezes. With our combined support, they are able to … Explore. Dream. Discover. |
JOIN US AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS! |
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The Mountain Shadows Foundation –
Because We CARE |
The Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives. It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: - Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
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Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: mhuiras@mtnshadows.org, or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family!
To learn more about Mountain Shadows volunteer opportunities, please click below:
Learn about Mountain Shadows Volunteer Opportunities Here
Please email comments about this story to Sheryl Wilde at: swilde@mtnshadows.org. |
Mandy Huiras Mountain Shadows Foundation
Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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